Vaporizer Beginner - Questions about visibility and temps.

I just got an Extreme Q and I'm loving it but I'm not sure I'm doing everything right so far. My main issue is I'm not sure how much vapor I should be seeing, and I think this is causing me to use way too high temps. The first time I used it I started out at 190° (all temps will be in celsius) with an elbow pack, then kept going up throughout the bowl and ending at about 210-215°. But I was convinced I wasn't getting enough vapor. I've been starting at 220° and then going up to 230° because that's when I see vapor, 210° with a fresh pack doesn't even give me any visible vapor. I think I've been combusting a little bit by doing this though because I've noticed what looks like resin in the elbow piece. There's a pic below so you can see what I'm talking about. Also I think I've been using way too high temps because most of the stuff I read went from 190-215°. I'll just list the questions I have and hopefully somebody can set me on the right path.

With the extreme q should I really be seeing any vapor?

If the temps I'm using are really too high, what should I be using?

Is buildup like in the pic normal?

What color should the vaped material be? All brown or slightly green still?

Thanks to whoever helps me. This is my first vape and I don't want to continue doing it wrong.

Hi saltydalty, and welcome to the forum. I think the best place for you to start with questions regarding your vape is here in the Extreme Q thread.

I can help with some of your other questions though. Buildup is normal in your glass, however it looks like there is a lot of particulate there. Perhaps your grind is too fine? You didn't say how long you've been using this piece...

And, your vaped material (known here as abv - already been vaped) should be a dark brown. Since you haven't mentioned finding ash, I do not think you have combusted.

And yes, there should be some visible vapor. However, if the light isn't right and your hit isn't big, it would be possible that you wouldn't see it upon exhale. Try exhaling into some indirect light and see if you can see it.

Please do take the time to read the Extreme thread if you haven't done so already. Others who own the Extreme will be hanging there and willing to help.

I just got an Extreme Q and I'm loving it but I'm not sure I'm doing everything right so far. My main issue is I'm not sure how much vapor I should be seeing, and I think this is causing me to use way too high temps. The first time I used it I started out at 190° (all temps will be in celsius) with an elbow pack, then kept going up throughout the bowl and ending at about 210-215°. But I was convinced I wasn't getting enough vapor. I've been starting at 220° and then going up to 230° because that's when I see vapor, 210° with a fresh pack doesn't even give me any visible vapor. I think I've been combusting a little bit by doing this though because I've noticed what looks like resin in the elbow piece. There's a pic below so you can see what I'm talking about. Also I think I've been using way too high temps because most of the stuff I read went from 190-215°. I'll just list the questions I have and hopefully somebody can set me on the right path.

With the extreme q should I really be seeing any vapor?

If the temps I'm using are really too high, what should I be using?

Is buildup like in the pic normal?

What color should the vaped material be? All brown or slightly green still?

Thanks to whoever helps me. This is my first vape and I don't want to continue doing it wrong.

Click to expand...

Your temperature range is fine. I usually start the Extreme at 160°C and work up to 190°C. I almost never go above that, and I get visible vapour everywhere in this range.

You didn't mention a bag so I assume you're using the whip. From the look of your elbow and the fact you say you're not getting vapour at the lower temperatures, I'd say you're pulling too hard. You've sucked up a lot of particulate, and drawing air through too fast means it won't get hot enough to vapourize. Try a slower draw. Remember that it takes a bit of inhaling before you get vapour all the way through the whip.

Many people like to stay below 200°C because there is a paper out there that says that benzene starts appearing at that temperature. (The author participated in another study that saw no such result, however.) If this isn't a concern for you, then higher temperatures definitely will produce more visible vapour, but it will be harsher and not taste as nice as low temp vapour.

the amount of particulates and the lack of visible vapor seem to indicate that you are drawing too hard. Since heat goes through your herb on the way to you, if you draw too hard you cool the air going through the herb and don't release the goodness as efficiently. Drawing slowly controls the heat and keeps the herb cooking. With the Q you have the advantage of remote digital temperature change, so you can raise the heat incrementally, as different chemicals are released at different temperatures. Many experienced extreme q users enjoy starting low and drawing slow. Play with it. Your herb should end up a crunchy brown. Finally, I like to let the Q heat up at least 10 minutes and at least a couple minutes with the loaded elbow, just to warm it up.

Depends on lightning. 165-190 you should get vapor that is visible in good lighting and dark background. That is true vapor.
On 190-230 you get high-temp vapor that is more visible in regular lighting conditions like the smoke is, just lighter.
Don't go higher as that is asking for combution.

Yes, but I noticed your have more particle buildup, than mine. Even on the stem where I have particle-less honey already.
So I think you're pulling to hard, that can explain why you need so high temps and why you don't get satisfying results lower. Pull slower and loong, the EQ is no Cloud.